Code Text

Business and Professions Code - BPC

DIVISION 3. PROFESSIONS AND VOCATIONS GENERALLY [5000 - 9998.11]

CHAPTER 14. Structural Pest Control Operators [8500 - 8697.4]

( Chapter 14 repealed and added by Stats. 1941, Ch. 1163. )

ARTICLE 2.5. Pesticides [8538- 8538.]

( Article 2.5 added by Stats. 1984, Ch. 459, Sec. 2. )

8538.

(a) A registered structural pest control company shall provide the owner, or owner’s agent, and tenant of the premises for which the work is to be done with clear written notice which contains the following statements and information using words with common and everyday meaning:

(1) The pest to be controlled.

(2) The pesticide or pesticides proposed to be used and the active ingredient or ingredients.

(3) “State law requires that you be given the following information: CAUTION—PESTICIDES ARE TOXIC CHEMICALS. Structural Pest Control Companies are registered and regulated by the Structural Pest
Control Board, and apply pesticides which are registered and approved for use by the Department of Pesticide Regulation and the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Registration is granted when the state finds that, based on existing scientific evidence, there are no appreciable risks if proper use conditions are followed or that the risks are outweighed by the benefits. The degree of risk depends upon the degree of exposure, so exposure should be minimized.

“If within 24 hours following application you experience symptoms similar to common seasonal illness comparable to the flu, contact your physician or poison control center (telephone number) and your pest control company immediately.” (This statement shall be modified to include any other symptoms of overexposure which are not typical of influenza.)

“For further information, contact any of the following: Your Pest Control Company (telephone number); for Health
Questions—the County Health Department (telephone number); for Application Information—the County Agricultural Commissioner (telephone number), and for Regulatory Information—the Structural Pest Control Board (telephone number and address).”

(4) If a contract for periodic pest control has been executed, the frequency with which the treatment is to be done.

(b) In the case of Branch 1 applications, the notice prescribed by subdivision (a) shall be provided at least 48 hours prior to application unless fumigation follows inspection by less than 48 hours.

In the case of Branch 2 or Branch 3 registered company applications, the notice prescribed by subdivision (a) shall be provided no later than prior to application.

In either case, the notice shall be given to the owner, or owner’s agent, and
tenant, if there is a tenant, in at least one of the following ways:

(1) First-class or electronic mail, if an electronic mail address has been provided.

(2) Posting in a conspicuous place on the real property.

(3) Personal delivery.

If the building is commercial or industrial, a notice shall be posted in a conspicuous place, unless the owner or owner’s agent objects, in addition to any other notification required by this section.

The notice shall only be required to be provided at the time of the initial treatment if a contract for periodic service has been executed. If the pesticide to be used is changed, another notice shall be required to be provided in the manner previously set forth herein.

(c) Any person or licensee who, or registered company which, violates any provision of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable as set forth in Section 8553.